CDC modifies guidelines
By Robert Cloud
Waupaca County has seen “a significant increase in COVID-19 cases,” according to Jed Wohlt, the county public health officer.
“The increase in cases is likely driven by the Omicron variant that has taken hold across much of the country,” Wohlt said.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the total number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Waupaca County rose to 10,912 as of Jan. 6.
The number of total cases reported in the county was 9,802 on Dec. 7, 2021.
COVID-19 has killed 221 people in Waupaca County since the pandemic began.
There were 517 active cases on Jan. 10.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rates Waupaca County as a “high risk” for community transmission of the disease.
In Waupaca County, 52% are fully vaccinated, while 55.3% have received at lease one dose, according to Waupaca County Public Health on Jan. 6.
Statewide, 62.7% are fully vaccinated, and 62.3% are fully vaccinated.
According to the CDC, people died at a rate 12 times higher than those who were fully vaccinated.
Among those not fully vaccinated there were 35 deaths and 184 hospitalizations per 100,000 cases.
There were 2.8 deaths and 71.1 hospitalizations per 100,000 cases among those who were fully vaccinated.
New CDC guidelines
On Jan. 4, the CDC shortened its quarantine and isolation guidelines for those who show symptoms of COVID-19, due to the shorter incubation periods of the Omicron variant.
Research has found that Omicron has an incubation period of 2-4 days, as opposed to 10 days with the earlier variants.
Incubation period refers to the time between infection and the first signs of symptoms.
Those who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should:
• Stay home for five days
• If they have no symptoms, they can leave the house, but should wear a mask for five additional days.
• If they have a fever, they should stay home until the fever resolves.
People who have been exposed to someone who tests positive, and have received a booster, completed the primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months or completed the primary series of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine with the last two months, should:
• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on the fifth day, if possible.
People who have been exposed to the virus and are not vaccinated, should:
• Stay home for five days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
• Those who cannot quarantine, must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on the fifth day if possible.
Those who develop symptoms, should get a test and stay home.
County vaccine clinics
Waupaca County Public Health is holding free, walk-in vaccination clinics on Wednesdays in January on the second floor of the courthouse in Waupaca.
The clinics are open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 6, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 12 and 19.
Pfizer primary doses are available to anyone age 5 or older. Moderna and J&J primary doses are available to anyone age 18 and older.
Booster shots are available for anyone age 12 and older.
For more information, call 715-258-6323.
County covid testing
In January, Waupaca County Public Health will also offer free, drive-thru covid testing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and from 8 a.m. to noon Thursdays, at the Manawa Masonic Center, 520 N. Bridge St., Manawa.
No appointment is necessary, however to register ahead, go to register.covidconnect.wi.gov.